7 January 2014

Media Contact Information:
(not for publication)

Keith Peters, Media Coordinator
307-690-6803 or [email protected]

Website: www.cherryblossom.org

January 7, 2014, Washington, DC: Organizers of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run and USA Track & Field (USATF) announced today that the 2014 USA 10 Mile Championships for both men and women will be presented by America’s Credit Unions, and will be held in conjunction with the 42nd running of the “Runners Rite of Spring®” in Washington, D.C. on April 6. As in years past, there will be an advance start for the elite women, providing them an opportunity to compete for records that will be recognized as coming from a women’s-only race.

“Last year was our first to host a USA 10 Mile Championship event,” said Phil Stewart, Event Director of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run, “and the additional excitement of having a strong American presence made us want to do it again. Thanks to the tremendous support of America’s Credit Unions, we are looking forward hosting both the men’s and women’s USA 10 Mile Championship events this year.”

Stewart added: “The current U.S. Men’s 10 mile record of 46:13 was set by Greg Meyer at this event way back in 1983, and we think it is time for the top U.S. men to chase it down in 2014. Janet Bawcom’s single-sex American Record of 53:28, set here last year, seems well within reach as well. We’d love to see a dual American record setting day on April 6.”

“The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run is one of this country’s great races,” said USATF CEO Max Siegel. “We are pleased to return for the 2014 USA 10 Mile Championships. Fast courses, first-rate organization and strong partnerships make for a great experience for everyone involved.”

With the U.S. Championship purse being added to the traditional international purse, the event will offer over $80,000 in prize money and bonuses. If an American man were to win the race and break the American record with a sub-46:00 time, he would earn $16,500. The last American man to with the race was Chris Fox in 1990. If an American woman were to win the race, and break the American record with a sub 52:00 time, she would also take home $16,500. The last American Woman to win the race was Joan Nesbit in 1996. (Colleen De Reuck was competing for South Africa when she the mixed gender record of 51:16 in 1998.)

Over 26,000 runners submitted applications to participate in the 2014 Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and 5K Run-Walk, and the list of accepted runners represents all 50 states and 14 foreign countries. With a field limit of 15,000 established by the National Park Service and selected by lottery in December, not everyone who hoped to run will be able to participate in this year’s “Runners Rite of Spring ®”. There are, however, a limited number of openings for Charity Race Entrants, who need to register by March 1. Charity Race Entrants gain entry by raising a minimum of $500 for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Information about becoming a Charity Race Entry participant is available at: http://www.helpmakemiracles.org/event/cucherryblossom/.

Since 2002, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile and 5K Run-Walk have raised over $6 million for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and a significant portion of that sum has been raised by Charity Race entrants. Charity Race entrants are required to raise a minimum of $500 by March 1.

About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile:

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom is known as “The Runner’s Rite of Spring®,” and is the only truly elite road race in our Nation’s capital. The staging area for the event is on the Washington Monument Grounds and the course passes in sight of all of the major Washington, DC Memorials. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a consortium of 170 premier children’s hospitals across the United States. About one-third of the funds raised support Washington, DC’s own Children’s National Medical Center (“Children’s Hospital”). The event also funds two $5,000 Road Runners Club of America “Roads Scholar” grants designed to support up-and-coming U.S. distance running talent.

Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc., a consortium of credit unions and credit union suppliers, is the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk. PSCU is the lead financial partner of Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. Supporting sponsors include New Balance, Gatorade, Navy Federal Credit Union, Larabar, Potomac River Running and BAE Systems.

Complete information about the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run and 5K Run-Walk can be found at: http://www.cherryblossom.org. 

About America’s Credit Unions:

Credit unions provide consumers choices for financial services such as checking accounts, investments and loans of all kinds including mortgages. Funds are federally insured, but unlike banks, there are no stockholders at credit unions. Earnings are returned to member-owners in the form of lower loan rates, higher savings rates, low or no-fee products and services. The credit union philosophy of placing members’ needs first is why more than 98.9 million Americans do their banking at one of America’s 6,800 credit unions. Credit unions are for everyone—no matter where you live, there is a credit union to meet your needs.

To find a credit union near you visit: www.asmarterchoice.org or www.culookup.com

About USA Track & Field:

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the country’s #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States. For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org.